Huchuy Qosqo Trek 3 Days

Your Andean adventure begins at 6 am when we pick you up at the hotel and then we drive in our private transport to the village of Patabamba (3,800m/12,467ft), only 1 hour from Cusco. Once arrival, we put our backpacks on and get ready to start a gentle hike uphill for the next 3 hours to get to the highest point of the trek (4,200m/13,779ft). Here, we have fantastic views of the surrounding snow capped mountains and valleys. We descend towards the village of Pucamarca and spend time at the Inca ruins.

Later, we follow a section of the original Inca trail into the Inca city of Huchuy Qosqo. There, we have time to explore the city and head to our homestay. The guide will introduce you to the local family who will show you to your room for the night and the bathroom with a proper toilet. You will see all the amazing views of the surrounding areas and the Inca city.  By late afternoon, you will enjoy your tea, and later have dinner with your local family! In the evening, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the sky full of brilliant stars, far from the light pollution of any city and see the Inca constellations which your guide will show you.

• Meals included: Picnic lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Homestay at a local family’s home with a proper toilet
• Distance: 13kms/8 miles approximately
• Difficulty:  Moderate

After a delicious breakfast, there will be a guided tour of the Huchuy Qosqo Inca City, in which you will discover amazing Inca buildings, sacred temples, farming terraces, storehouses and water channels. The guide will tell you about the fascinating history of Huchuy Qosqo and how it changed the course of Inca history! After you have had time to explore everything, we head downhill to Lamay for 2 hours. Our private van will take you to Urubamba, city where we will have lunch.

Afterwards, we head to the archaeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouses of the Incas,” which is a unique and fascinating site, built prior to the Incas. Different levels of terraces are carved into a huge basin, part of which was further excavated by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates, depending on how deep into the bowl they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops. After you have time to enjoy and explore the site, we continue driving towards the colonial town of Maras and to the Pre-Inca Salt Mines (Salineras). Thousands of saltpans have been passed down through the generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into saltpans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!

Then, we continue our journey to Ollantaytambo where we will explore the stunning astronomical Inca City of Ollantaytambo. After dinner in a restaurant, we take the 7:04 train to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night in a hotel.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• 3* Accommodation: Hotel Ferre´ Machu Picchu
• Distance: 7kms/4.3 miles approximately
• Difficulty: Easy

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! The guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. You will see most of the important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel. Learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. Expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.

Meal included: Breakfast
Difficulty: Easy

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for an extra hike up Huayna Picchu, this tour is without a guide.

***IMPORTANT:

• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55 or 3:20, 4:22, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
• Early trains can be organized by request and it has to be done by booking time.